Kilgore City Council OKs annex, finalizes city manager hire

KILGORE - City Council members emerged from a short closed session on Tuesday to unanimously hire Scott Sellers of Colorado as Kilgore city manager.

"He's easy to talk to, very straight-forward," Mayor Ronnie Spradlin said of Sellers, who starts work Oct. 31. "He kind of reminds me of a young Tony."

The mayor's quip, in earshot of interim City Manager Tony Williams, was a compliment given Spradlin's praise for Williams since the retired Marshall city manager agreed to temporarily take the city's reins in May.

The remark also underlines the youth of Kilgore's new administrative leader.

At 32, Sellers brings experience as acting city manager in Montrose, Colo., preceded by a stint as assistant city manager for Centralia, Ill.

"He has a long array of experience and certifications," Spradlin said.

Sellers will be paid $115,000 a year under a two-year contract also approved unanimously Tuesday. He also will have a $600 monthly automobile allowance plus $100 a month for a cell phone and, for six months, a $1,500 interim housing supplement.

Sellers was among more than 90 applicants from 23 states who responded to the city's request for applicants to replace Jeffrey Howell, who left in the spring citing managerial differences with the council. A married father of five, Sellers topped six finalists who were interviewed by the council since early September.

He holds a bachelor's degree of science in recreation management and a master's degree in public administration from Brigham Young University.

Williams said he will be available if Sellers needs help getting his feet on the ground in Kilgore. He added the newcomer might not need much help, having maintained a 3.73 grade point average while earning his master's degree in Utah.

"I enjoyed working here," Williams said. "I'll help him - usually, when a new guy comes in he makes his own way."

In other action Tuesday, the council set annexation proceedings in motion for 261 acres north and south of Texas 349 on the city's northeast edge. The acreage abuts Longview's extraterritorial jurisdiction which approaches from the north.

The proposal is set for public hearings Nov. 8 and Nov. 22. Its possible adoption is scheduled for Dec. 13.